⇨ TEST DRIVE MEME #1

[ringleaders]

WELCOME TO THE SHOW!↴ Or, more specifically, Lost Carnival's first test drive meme! This is an opportunity to try out your characters in the setting before you apply, or to put together samples for characters you've never played before. There are going to be options for both new arrivals and veteran characters. Before we get started, let's lay down some details: You can read the full premise here. Reserves open October 5th at 12:01AM EST. Applications open October 7th at 12:01AM EST. You can apply as a newcomer or as a "veteran" character who has been in the carnival for up to three years. TDM threads can be used as game canon after the fact if both characters are accepted and the players agree to it. If you are interested in additional IC and OOC plot responsibilities, consider applying for a Supervisor position. Supervisor applications will start being processed a few days after apps open, and will be selected on a competitive basis. If you want a supervisor position, it is best to submit your application as close to the beginning of the application cycle as possible. If you don't get chosen for your desired supervisor position, you will be given time to rework your application to be a regular veteran, or to apply for a supervisor position that is not yet taken. Lost Carnival could use some additional moderation assistance! If you are interested, please let us know here. NEW RECRUITS↴ You gotta start somewhere, right? These prompts are for characters who are arriving in the carnival for the first time, and who are destined to sign a contract. How they go about that is up to you, but in the meantime they can enjoy the sights and sounds of something truly out of this world. Visitors to the carnival comes from many different worlds today, as the ringmaster casts out her recruitment lures. Will you become her most recent hire? ► ADMISSION FEES: After crossing into the carnival's realm and passing through the trees, most visitors will find themselves at the front gate - though not all choose to enter that way. If they enter legitimately, however, they will have to pass by a clerk who will trade admission and tickets for various attractions and rides in exchange for "anything of value." What is of value may seem highly subjective, and so some may struggle to produce payment at first, though in actuality the carnival will take anything from mundane currency to items of purely sentimental value. ► MIRROR MAZE: The mirror maze (pictured above) is a big attraction in the carnival, and stretches much further on the inside than it looks like it will on the outside. It's hard to get through, and what's more, after you've been in there for a while your reflections will start gaining a mind of their own - mostly in order to taunt and distract you with personal information. They don't know everything you know, but they know more than they should, and their mind games can be pretty hit or miss. ► GAMER'S CIRCLE: Almost all of the game booths are organized in a large ring around the Cookhouse, called Gamer's Circle. Your can play just about any carnival game you can imagine here, for a variety of prizes sometimes traditional, exotic, or outright magical. Dart tossing? Got it. That game with the water guns? Got it. Most of these booths are currently manned by humanoid spirits who look like they are made of smoke. If they can trick you into earning debt, they will. ► TRYING TO LEAF: No matter where you came from, you seemingly emerged from a forest. Obviously, to get back home you should be able to go back in the same direction, right? It turns out you can't. Worse, trying too hard to get through the wood will result in you getting lost, or turned back to the carnival. The trees here are not normal, and are varying levels of alien, including things like trees with glowing fruit or orange flowers that constantly burn like candles. ► NOT YOUR WHEELHOUSE (NEW): Sometimes, even magical ferris wheels get stuck. The carnival's particular wheel is enchanted to create a particular out of this world experience - as you pass along the top, you feel as if they are so close to the sky that you can interact with the stars like baubles hanging above your head. Of course, the novelty probably wears off when the wheel is broken and you've been stuck enjoying the light show with some stranger for the last half hour. How are you going to pass the time? ► WILD CARD: Anything else you can imagine in this setting! There are a lot of possibilities and you're free to explore them. Check out the rest of the game info or the locations page for additional inspiration. Want to make a starter with your character experiencing their first theoretical change? Go for it! VETERAN WORKERS↴ These prompts are tailored to the carnival's existing employees, the veterans. Odds are they've been here from somewhere between a few months and three years already, and know their way around the block. For them, this is just business as usual - and depending on their attitude towards their job, they may or may not contribute to a few people accidentally getting themselves a contract. Whatever you do, though, don't warn visitors away from the carnival - the ringmaster hates losing business like that. ► DO YOUR WORK: This one's pretty simple - just have your character doing whatever you'd like to have their job be! There is a big list of ideas over here, and you could use this to try things out with a character you intend to be a new arrival, as well. ► WILL O' WISPS: The ringmaster's will o' wisps have gotten free, and she's asked that everyone keep and eye out and help her reclaim them regardless of their official jobs. Wisps are small creatures that burn both hot and cold and comes in a few different variations of the same basic theme. Handling them physically (or psionically, or magically, for that matter) is difficult due to their near intangible nature. Touching and being around them can result in confusion and a sensation similar to being comfortably drunk. ► BREAK TIME: Whatever you were doing, it's break time! It's time for you to relax however you see fit. Do you enjoy some of the carnival attractions yourself, or is that old by now? Do you hang out in the Cookhouse to get a snack? Do you take a nap? Yolo, baby! ► RIDDLE GAME: For a bit of fun, the ringmaster has left a variety of locked chests around the worker areas of the carnival, each with instructions and a riddle written on their lids. The chest will accept three guesses from each worker before refusing to respond to them any further. If you guess the right answer, the chest will open and you will be rewarded with some manner of fun magical knick knack. If you've run out of guesses, maybe you can conspire with someone else and promise to split the prize? ► WILD CARD: Anything else you can imagine in this setting! There are a lot of possibilities and you're free to explore them. Check out the rest of the game info or the locations page for additional inspiration. Want to do a performance? Hang out in the Backyard? Choose whatever appeals!

Comments

[meanlook]

[That damn smile. Everytime he saw it he wanted to push the other boy into something. If this was the old him he might have. Getting into scraps with 'kin' wasn't something the management smiled upon, however. He could still push him verbally, though.]

How did you get that from what I said? Sometimes I think your brain's a Butterfree just flapping around in your skull. I said it's not like a metal cage.

[pocketofsunshine]

The only language that's needed...are the universal languages of patience and kindness.

[Oh lordy...I think that sentence gave me cavities[]

[meanlook]

...

[Silver may not be quite as rough around the edges as he used to be, but there's no way he's letting that one slide.]

You're gonna get eaten alive.

[pocketofsunshine]

[She takes that as a sign of concern]

Don't worry, I usually make sure that doesn't happen.

[meanlook]

Usually?

[Well that's an... interesting way to put it.]

[pocketofsunshine]

We all make mistakes sometimes.

[A dash of humility can go a long way Silver, just saying]

[otokogi]

[ Most things among the idols are complicated. Mitsuki would hardly classify his relationship with Yamato as simple, for example. That being said, mezzo" almost certainly has the most complicated relationship, and it's important to stay aware of that.

Or to swerve away from it altogether. ]

With practice, sure! It'd all be wirework anyway, there's no way the President would let us really be trapeze artists, so it'd be easier.

And maybe, but then what would Riku do? He's our center, he should be the one in charge like that, shouldn't he?

[ In truth Mitsuki would love a job like that but he's feeling insecure in the spotlight lately, so it's hard to step up and lay claim to it, even if Tamaki's right about it being right up his alley. ]

[dragonsattendant]

[ Medli practically sparkles. ] Wow... that's so cool! I kind of wish I could have an impact like that...

[ She takes out her harp, and pauses a moment to examine it. Prince Komali's grandmother had told her it would be important for her to practice it, and practice she did, but she never really understood why.

It'd be important one day, surely, but when? ]

[fortuneglass]

It is isn't?

[She sighs, the two coming to the gate already.] For me, I'd love to just be able to see how many people she can cheer up-it makes every new place worth it~!

[missionfail]

Never claimed to be nice.

[The sad thing is, Jasper has very little reference for what the word "tramp" really means. She just knows it's a negative term and it fits well as a mockery of his actual name. Human reproduction and all the nasty business that goes along with it are topics she avoids like the plague.

She clears her throat, which is also something she shouldn't have to do, and the feeling seems to have passed. Unfortunately, the need for continued breathing hasn't. Not that she's unused to breathing - moving air to and from simulated lungs is the easiest way to speak.]

There's never any privacy around here.

[faking]

[For few moments, Alois still looks angry, and like he's trying to think of something really, really mean to say. Then he exhales, his embers burning low, seeming to lose most of his fight. That happens more and more often these days; when he first came, he was very combative, but now he frequently just simmers.]

We-e-ell... A lady should have her privacy. [But don't think he's completely done being mean: he looks her up and down, eyes moving slowly and critically, like he's inspecting livestock—and he doesn't seem to like what he sees.] For all that you are a lady, [he says snidely. Then he perks up. (His moodswings still persist.)] I know a spot that's lots more private. Well, a couple of spots, but I wouldn't give them all away... Anyway, if you tell me what on Earth's your trouble, I could show you!

[Doesn't that kind of defeat the point of being private?! But he likes secrets.]

[coinsforlockerrooms]

"You will get to see it in time," Yukine put both hands over the table, "charms take time to happen, like everything. The spell mentions it usually works within a week, or even a day, when the person is determined to face a life of change."

She then got her card back, but left the coins on the table.

"Keep the coins if you want. I don't know if they have them where you're from. But if I don't see you again..." Yukine smiled, "I would like something of myself to be remembered by, on another world."

[dragonsattendant]

That sounds like a great way to spend your days. Maybe one day I can come with you... !

[ But alas, her duties say otherwise. She looks up at the entry gates. ] So you're sure this is okay, right?

[fortuneglass]

Well, if you make a deal with her, you could! She travels through time you know!

[Anyway. Carly goes right to the ticket master, and!] I'm bringing her to see the Ringmaster, she's not a customer ok?

[A few seconds after, she waves for Medli to follow.] It's ok!

[missionfail]

[Jasper is hardly perturbed by any comments about how ladylike she may or may not be. While she might not fit the human standards of beauty - who cares about those? As a gem, she's basically perfect. Or at least she had been.

In any case, the last thing she wants is help from this kid.]

No thanks.

[Share her troubles with him? She'd share them with Peridot before that happened. The gem picks up her papers and taps them neatly against the bench to straighten them out.]

[faking]

I figured you'd say that, [he trills, complete with obnoxious laughter. He's tilting his head away from her, laughing and laughing at his own joke, or whatever this is. In reality, he's a bit hurt by his earnest offer being rejected, which is why he's making his laughter so obnoxious.] You're an ingrate, but that's all right. Cos it's all on you! You know what they say about beggars and choosers. Or, do you know? Have they got that saying on Mars?

[faking]

But what makes you think that? Why do you think it isn't like a metal cage?

[—Maybe a little too earnest, here. He clamps his mouth shut, trying to hide his embarrassment with the line of his lips. His brow is furrowed, more in distress than actual anger, but...

Finally, he scoffs.]

As if you know anything about magic.

[trustme]

Funny you should say that...

[ Doctor can hear the wisp snickering right behind him. In fact it seems like there's a very small change in weight to the back of his neck... ]

Gotcha!

[ Doctor snatches the wisp in hand and hurries to push it back into the jar. As he turns the jar lid he shouts victoriously. ] Yes! [ Then he feels the rush of warmth running up his arm. The wisp intoxication. ] Oh no. [ He looks at his hand. It looks normal but his mistake has him staring at it anyway. ] Quick, I need a cup of tea or coffee to combat this!

[toogoodtoopure]

[Ah. He had wondered; he wasn't naturally in tune with the spirit world or anything, but he's been around spirits long enough to know one when he sees one, even not out of body. The flippant humor gets a small chuckle - he's been around Kaiba-kun long enough to get when and when things aren't directed at him, and he slides a hand along his backpack strap, tilting his head.

The question has him curious, so he hums as he decides whether or not to humor the man. Spirit. Ugh, you know what he means.]

What manner? You mean was he good or evil?

[It hurt to think of Atem right now, but he inhales a breath and ducks his head to look at the ground.]

He was a good man, in life and death. A good friend, a good Pharaoh. A brilliant duelist. I could only ever hope to live up to someone like that.

[Let alone carry on without him. Yuugi chews his bottom lip, violet eyes uncertain and shifting his backpack.]

[toogoodtoopure]

R-really?

[Well of course normal people didn't look like that but, well, he figured that people in Yuusei-kun's time might have started genetically modifying themselves, but logically he knows that Duel Monsters couldn't be that popular (surely the popularity has died down some). For a moment, he looks worried, then raises his hands to calm her down.]

I-I'm sorry, I didn't...I mean, it wouldn't be the first time I crossed over into the spirit world...

[That moment in time where the veil had been thin enough that Duel Monsters were able to break through flicks to mind before he waves his hands.]

N-not that I'm calling you a Duel Monster or anything! I just...oh for Ra's sake...

[And facepalming. At himself.]

[ouiboo]

[ He still has a generous amount of cash and a platinum credit card for backup. He should be okay. ]

Of course! Any specific food you recommend trying?

[meanlook]

Because metal is metal. It's like... solid! Magic is...

[Well, he can't quite explain it so he just makes some frustrated hand gestures one assumes symbolize magic. Or a flapping bird.]

... and me not knowing about magic is the whole point in the first place, remember?

[meanlook]

You don't usually live to make more mistakes if you're eaten alive.

[hoasen]

[What a mystery! Sharing is definitely caring though, since at least they're having fun with it!]

Ah, I see. Then perhaps it is this place. I am unable to do such as thing as well.

[And now since she's failed, she watches him in anticipation to see if he can do it! Alas, it looks like the star gods have cursed them for being shorties!!!]

Perhaps you should get on my shoulders. I do not mind.

[...Wait what?]

[aoimine]

[ It's gonna be a challenge alright, he resists the urge to say, and that's probably the hardest part about this job: playing nice to customers, even when they're doomed to failure. ]

Here you go. [ He at least takes the care to place the ball on the counter instead of tossing it at her, which he would have done under different circumstances. Then, with a motion of his head towards the basket, he adds: ] Do your best shot, ma'am.

[ This is going to be boring, he can feel it in his bones. ]